Making suncatchers

This week we made homemade suncatchers.  I LOVE this winter activity because 1) it's super easy, 2) it doesn't require any special materials, and 3) it doesn't take long to get the final product.

It's also a fun one to do near the end of winter so you can observe some melting.  Then you can throw in some science instruction about changes in states of matter.  That's my fancy teacher way of explaining that ice melts and becomes water.  :)

And when ice melts, spring is NEAR.  Yeehaw!  We're all hoping the groundhog's early spring prediction is correct!

This suncatcher craft is ridiculously simple.  Get a deep circular 8" or 9" pie pan.  Have your kids fill their pie pans up with small stuff.  A quick raid of your junk drawer or sewing box should net PLENTY of materials.  We used buttons, magnets, stickers, paper clips, sequins, erasers, ribbons, strings, appliques, plastic spools . . . the possibilities are endless!

To make a hanging string for your suncatcher, use a sturdy string or cord and place it with the ends inside the pan.  You'll want your hanging loops to be well frozen into your ice so they don't break.

Then, fill up the pans with water (we dyed our water with food coloring first).  Pop the pans in the freezer and give them a few hours to freeze solid. 

Voila, customized icy suncatchers!

They look a little strange hanging outside on our porch but I could care less.  The kids have already gotten big kicks out of watching their suncatchers to see how they're melting. And Clive's even has a little icicle forming on the bottom of his. 

[Find a variation of this craft on the Family Fun website.]

What winter crafts do you enjoy making?

Clive was a bit excessive in adding items to his pie pan.

Chloe's pink and purple themed suncatcher.

Clive's crowded suncatcher turned out pretty and sparkly!

Homemade Christmas

This year I was forced to jump-start my homemade gift-making in time for Thanksgiving.  Since we traveled to my bro-in-law's house for Thanksgiving this year, it was only logical that we should save some money on shipping and bring along their Christmas gifts.

And also the Christmas gifts for my other bro-in-law's family who joined us for Thanksgiving too.

I was a busy little gift-making elf the week prior to Thanksgiving, let me assure you!

But now that the harriedness and busyness is over, I'm SO THANKFUL to have all those gifts done and delivered.  Rest assured, I'm far from done with Christmas gifts.  I still have several gifts to make on my remaining to-do list to make but it feels good to have two families crossed off. 

We have two teenage nephews, and four nieces of varying ages.  I don't usually make anything for the nephews since I can't ever think of a cool enough crafty gift to suit their tastes.  They ARE teenage boys after all.  But the nieces and sisters-in-law always get at least one homemade present from me.

This year I made something I've always wanted to try -- homemade hot cocoa mix.   I did three flavors: Peppermint, Spicy Mayan and Butterscotch.  Easy peasy and VERY yummy due to the powdered milk included in the mix.  Makes for a smooth and creamy cup of cocoa.

For my nieces I made necklaces with interchangeable magnetic charms.  I used scrapbook paper for the charms, modpodged them several times, affixed a magnet and voila!  Don't believe the dimly-lit pictures, these turned out really cute and not at all yellow-y as the photos belie.

What gifts are you crafting up this Christmas?

Chloe trying on the headband and not-so-secretly hinting she'd like one for herself.

Peppermint hot cocoa mix in repurposed formula can

Ribbon and scrapbook paper can really dress up a tin formula can!

Spicy Mayan hot cocoa mix.  I thought the spices called for in Alton Brown's recipe were too mild so I added more chili powder, cinnamon, and a touch of cayenne.  This stuff will surely warm up your insides on a snowy winter's day!

The ribbon wrapped, bow-topped finished headband for my 5 year old niece.  She loved it!  And I love hot glue.  Can't craft without that miraculous goo.

Magnetic charm necklaces with decoupaged scrapbook paper and store-bought chains. I made two of these -- one for each of my teenage nieces.

A fun and easy Thanksgiving project

With Thanksgiving literally around the corner now, we embarked on an easy peasy thankfulness-themed project last week.

I fell in LOVE with this burlap placemat project linked on craftzine's blog and then adapted it slightly to suit our tastes. Pretty much it's a cut rectangle of burlap (no sewing necessary) and it uses a homemade freezer paper stencil to create an image for the kids to paint in the center.

Since we've been talking about and trying to exercise a thankful heart in our home lately (i.e. the cure for whininess) this placemat project was perfect. Around the edges I wrote a reminder verse with a sharpie (it's Psalm 107:1 if you're wondering).

Then I made a stencil out of freezer paper. I'm totally in awe of and in crafting-love with freezer paper. It was incredibly easy and worked super well. Next we got out some paints and sponges and Chloe and Clive dabbed away. (It's seriously an easy enough project for even a little toddler guy like Clive to participate in). Check out the step-by-step tutorial here.

Though the production was fun and easy the BEST part of this placemat project has been practicing thankfulness with Chloe. Every time we eat a meal, Chloe whips out the placemat and before she chows down she tells us something she's thankful for. At first she didn't quite get it. She'd just look around the room and spurt out whatever her gaze fell upon. But now that we've been doing this for several days it's beginning to resonate with her.

And her thankfulness is contagious! Matt and I usually join in and share something we're thankful for too. It's a splendid way to start out a meal.

Now if only I could get her to tote her placemat around to remind her to be thankful in our everyday situations. Like when her brother wants to color with her crayons, when she has to change out of her princess dress and put real clothes on, or just whenever she doesn't get her way. I'm guessing that will be a lifelong lesson. This mommy needs that thankful reminder throughout the day too!

What special Thanksgiving crafts or traditions do you employ to practice thankfulness?